Sikhism

Barsi

A year after the death of a Sikh the Barsi is prayed.

Afterlife

Breaking free of reincarnation results in unity with God

Worldview

Everyone is equal in the eyes of God

Place of worship

Gurdwara

Holy Books

Guru Granth sahib (Collections of poems, prayers, hyms, and sayings from the 10 gurus) the book itself is known as the guru of Sikhs, which is the 11th guru

Sin

Humans are basically good. There is a part of our soul which has worldly attachments to things

Prayer

Repeated multiple times a day

Khanda

Symbol of the Sikhs

Indira Ghandi

The Indians prime minister of India at the time, and was murdered by her Sikh body guard. She was the one what ordered operation Blue Star.

Singh/ Kaur

Traditional names for Sikhs meaning "Lion and Princess"

Random Facts

- 2 million Sikhs follow and reveled, distinct, and unique religion born five centuries ago in the Punjab region of northern India - Between 1469 and 1708, 10 Gurus preached a simple message of truth, devotion to God and universal equality - Often mistaken as combination of Hinduism and Islam, the Sikh religion can be characterized as a completely independent faith. - Sikhism rejects isolating, the caste system, ritualism and asceticism. - Punjabi, a variant of the hindi language with some Persian influence, is the spoken and written language of the Sikh people. - Male members of the Sikh religion us the name, Singh (lion), as their middle or last name, while females use the name, kaur (princess)

Triumphs and set backs the sikhs faced during WW1 and WW2

- Allowed to wear turbans instead of helmets - Turbans caught bullets - They were praised as hero's

What were the two reasons Sikhs moved to Britain

- Britain had a labour shortage - India separated from Britain

After taking part in the Amrit Sansker each person must NOT:

- Cut hair - Eat kosher meat - Smoke, take drugs or intoxicants - Have faith in black magic, superstitions, charms and rituals

The 5 K's

- Kesh: long hair, which is never cut, to look like what God meant them to be. - Kangha: comb, Cleanliness of body and spirit - Kera: Short pants, for modesty - Kachh: metal bracelet, God is all powerful and has no beginning and no end - Kirpon: a ceremonial dagger, they are Gods soldiers, to stand against oppression and to protect the weak and oppressed. Protect the Sikh faith.

Customs

- Sikhs wear turbans out of love and obedience to the wishes of the founders of their faith - It is a symbol of sovereignty, dedication, self-respect, courage and piety.

Setbacks faced after WW2

- They were discriminated in Britain - Could not find work - Encouraged not to wear turbans

After taking part in the Amrit Sansker each person must:

- Worship only one almighty God - Recite five prescribed banis (hymns) everyday - Learn Punjabi language and read Guru Granth Sahib - War and observe the significance of five Ks - Live a truthful life and treat all humans equal

Humanity

In the highest stage of reincarnation, working toward liberation and unity with God

Location

India and Pakistan. Mostly on that border

Sikh

Means learner which is the basis of the religion

Jesus

Not God or part of God. Not discounted as a prophet who may be one with God.

God

One eternal God, Waheguru. Is the greatest power, he is supreme, he is the king of kings, he knows the inner thoughts of everyone, he is the giver, he existed before the start of time, he exists now and hw will exist forever.

Founder/Date

Sikhism emerged under the teachings of Guru Nanak in the 16th century, who taught that there was/is one God. So his purpose is to escape oneself will and become one with God.

Similarity between Sikhism and Christians

Sikhs and Christians believe earth is only one part of life, and are against gene therapy and fetal tissue therapy. Both religions are very caring and want to help and take care of people, to heal them. Both of these are monopolistic religions.

Sikhs view of medicine

Sikhs are against fetal tissue therapy and against alteration of Genes. They are a healing and caring society, so they are all for health care.

Worship

Sikhs are prohibited fro worshipping idols, images, or icons

Difference between Sikhism and Christians

Sikhs believe in reincarnation, while Christians believe there is life after death. The Sikhs have more customs and traditions.

Conflict between Hindus and Sikhs

Sikhs wanted to form their own nation of Punjabi. India was rules mostly by Hindus and they did not want the separation of the nation to happen. Also the Sikhs killed and angered my Hindus, including the killing of the Hindu prime minister. The situation just getting escalated because both religions wanted revenge on the other. Roughly 3000-40000 Sikhs were killed in Delhi alone for this.

Salvation

Sins are removed by meditating on God. Freedom of the soul takes place after many cycles of reincarnation.

Operation Blue Star

The objective was to capture Bhndrawale. Troops were sent to the temple to capture him, but they faced armed resistance and many people died. Tanks were also sent in and the temple with all the surrounding buildings were captured. Civilians were caught in the cross fire, and the militants were well armed and supplied.

Temples

there are over 200 Gurdacros (temples, shrines or holy places) in India alone. The most sacred is Amritsar. During the early 19th century reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the temples were rebuilt using marble, copper and an overlay of Gold foil.